Help Royce Fight - Heart Transplant

My name is Emily Erbs and I'm asking for help for my best friend, Royce Cetlin.

As a child Royce lost his mother to a massive heart attack. Royce experienced a massive heart attack himself, commonly referred to as the widow maker, a few years ago. It left his heart very weak, and he was dependent on an implanted defibrillator. He's been in and out of the hospital ever since with his heart functioning at only 35% and has been active and compliant with medical care.

A couple of weeks ago, Royce suffered another heart attack that has left him dependent on life support. He needs a heart transplant and has been approved for one! Royce is now at UCLA'S heart transplant facility but that is just the beginning of an extremely difficult physical, emotional, mental and financial journey.

Royce is the kind of person that is always there for others. Through some extremely difficult times in my life, he stood by me, always there to listen and provide whatever support he could. I know he has done the same for many others over the years. He's the kind of person that takes in people with nowhere to go and stands up and defends those in need. Royce is an uncle to many and an honorary dad to some. In short, he's a good, honest and kind person. The kind of person that you hope for as a neighbor and value as a friend.

Royce has been an active member of the LARP community, SCA, Starkhafn, archery, and gaming (GemStone IV). He loves travel, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family and friends. Royce also enjoys his position as a Senior IT System Analyst at Boyd Gaming, where he is well respected and liked. In short, he has so much to live for and most of all, Royce WANTS TO LIVE!

With only 10% of his heart functioning, he hung on and is fighting with everything he has. And here's the thing - he's doing it. I didn't think he could until I flew to Las Vegas and saw him in CICU. In pain I can't imagine, unable to communicate due to the intubation tube, he looked in my eyes, knew exactly who I was and let me know that he's not giving up. What started as a trip to say goodbye, became one focused on helping him fight to live.

Royce is fortunate to have the support of his partner and roommate, Grace, his mother Joan and the rest of his family and friends, who are dedicated to helping Royce make it through. Royce is not wealthy and unfortunately neither are any of us. In order to have the transplant, Royce must be able to stay in California for 3 to 6 months, post-transplant, with an attendant. The attendant will make sure he gets his medication right on time and drive him to and from appointments at the clinic. This will require establishing a temporary home close to the hospital, thus greatly increasing expenses. After that he will return to his home in Las Vegas, where Grace will be ready to welcome him home.

Donations made will go directly to support Royce's medical, housing and transportation needs during his transplant and recovery. Without this support, Royce will not qualify for the transplant, will not receive new heart and will not survive.

Updates on his progress will be posted here, as well as an accounting of funds. All funds will be directly transferred to Royce's own bank account. Please help. Any amount makes a difference. If you do not wish to use the GoFundMe platform, feel free to reach out and we will provide information for Zelle transfers.

I know there are lots of worthy requests for help. Royce means so much to me, Grace, his mother, family members, and friends. With this new heart, he will be able to be an even greater positive presence in the community. Please help us. Please help Royce live.